On February 22nd, 2013, OPD, CHP and members of the Alameda Sheriff's descended upon an apartment in West Oakland in search of a possibly armed man.

As police surrounded the property in question, the man who was inside and distraught, began breaking windows and yelling.

It was the perfect equation for what is known in police circles as "justifiable homicide". If an officer can articulate how they were in "fear for their safety", or the "safety of others", then they know they can shoot with impunity.

To the surprise of onlookers, OPD did not shoot the man. Any guesses as to why?